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Kite Repair tape - dacron or nylon?

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Created by oceanfire > 9 months ago, 23 Aug 2011
oceanfire
WA, 718 posts
23 Aug 2011 10:22PM
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My Seabreeze-search-fu isn't working well at the moment, so I'm just seeking a bit of kite repair advice please;

What is the best type of self adhesive repair tape for fixing small holes, roughly a millimetre or less in diameter, in a kite canopy?
Dacron, nylon or something else?

Cheers

AquaPlow
QLD, 1052 posts
24 Aug 2011 1:10AM
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http://www.tear-aid.com/index.htm
Type A.

Used some 2 nights ago - on a couple of tears in the sail (one 10 cms ) brilliant.
Use on both sides - it is transparent - can be hard to spot the tear after applying.

Yet to see if it is as durable as a patch / sew but when I tested it it was a stronger than the rip-stop on either side (fairly old bit of cloth but impressive none the less).

I bought a 1 metre strip and cut to shape as required.

Cheers
AP

richswing
WA, 724 posts
23 Aug 2011 11:16PM
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The clear non stretchy type of tape, I think it is made from Mylar.

Cut a rounded edge shape for top and bottom about 1cm border larger than the cut.
Stick on both sides and work it with a spoon and even heat it up a bit to activate the adhesive.

I have done a couple of repairs that have lasted a few seasons.

Dacrontape is the next best but would recommend stitching even a hand stitch will do
just to prevent the edges lifting. Heat to activate the adhesive.

Hope this helps

Rich

radman4
678 posts
24 Aug 2011 5:38AM
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+1 for Mylar,i stock a Mylar sheet thats about 650x900 can cut it to any shape and its tough as and transparent,for holes and tears up to around 150 mm its awesome ,self adhesive just stick it both sides of the tear and your good to go,costs about $30 a sheet,fixed a kite 5 years ago with it and saw it the other day still exactly as i repaired it,you can get it at sail shops,Peter Lynn carry it in NZ.

Rhys McClintock
NSW, 995 posts
24 Aug 2011 9:05AM
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When i repair kites in the shop, I tend to use Tear-aid for bladders, and nylon spinnaker repair tape for canopies. I

f you go to any sailing shop they'll have it in about 10 different colours, so you can match it to your canopy in most cases...

I just find that it blends in a lot better, and you very rarely get sand caught in the edges like you do with some clear tapes..

oceanfire
WA, 718 posts
24 Aug 2011 8:34AM
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Thanks for the good advice guys

So you guys reckon a yachting chandlery will have the goods?
I'd certainly prefer patching with something that doesn't need stitching.

Here's a couple of pics of the holes; it looks as though the bladder connector was rubbing on the canopy when it was folded up at some time.

Buying a used kite I expected to find a couple of things like this, I'm not too worried about it, just want to make sure I fix it properly.

Holes seen from the top of the canopy;


Someone's example of how not to do it;


Looks like it was caused by rubbing when folded;

GalahOnTheBay
NSW, 4188 posts
24 Aug 2011 1:56PM
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Instead of using square patches, round the corners off as this helps them to stay stuck on longer

AKSonline
WA, 925 posts
Site Sponsor
24 Aug 2011 2:00PM
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Hi Peeps,

We used to use Tear Aid, but it isn't ideal, for one, it's stretchy so that makes it inappropriate for tears bigger than about 2". It also tends to eventually peel up around the edges, even when you round the corners. This starts with the oils from your fingerprints where you peeled the backing off, it's practically unavoidable.

As an emergency patch, it works well but should be considered a temporary and less than ideal stop gap. Tear Aid also gets soft with heat which also helps the edges lift and attract sand after a while.

A much better option is the Mylar material. It's micro thin, doesn't lift, is almost completely invisible when stuck on correctly, and doesn't stretch at all making it ideal for larger and small tears. I have done some big tears with Mylar that never warranted additional attention when stuck both sides with a 1" overlap.

Tear aid is unbeatable for bladders and that style of repair, Mylar unbeatable for canopy repairs. Dacron with double sided spinnaker tape is ideal for leading edges when applied internally. Any external repair to a LE or strut casing will fail unless stitched and attended to properly.

DM

oceanfire
WA, 718 posts
24 Aug 2011 2:11PM
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GalahOnTheBay said...

Instead of using square patches, round the corners off as this helps them to stay stuck on longer


Haha, I should have added the disclaimer that the square patch was already on the kite.

I'm a trimmer by trade so I at least know that rounded edges are the way to go but I haven't done much sail work before so am not sure of the appropropriate materials to use for repairs

Cheers all of you, and great expanation Daz, looks like the Mylar is that way to go.

Can anyone recommend a good place to buy some (northern suburbs in Perth)?

toddws
WA, 468 posts
24 Aug 2011 3:25PM
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neil @ hold the line kites wembley

AKSonline
WA, 925 posts
Site Sponsor
24 Aug 2011 3:43PM
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oceanfire said...

Can anyone recommend a good place to buy some (northern suburbs in Perth)?


Yep, We have it too.

DM

siny
NSW, 286 posts
24 Aug 2011 6:40PM
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I think that coin was the cause of the hole remove it before it does more damage

oceanfire
WA, 718 posts
24 Aug 2011 4:49PM
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siny said...

I think that coin was the cause of the hole remove it before it does more damage


More like the lack of coin, otherwise I could have bought a brand newie

stamp
QLD, 2770 posts
24 Aug 2011 9:26PM
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that's a speed hole dude, it makes your kite go faster. don't cover it up

dave......
WA, 2119 posts
24 Aug 2011 7:32PM
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I know Neil HATES tear aid.

djdojo
VIC, 1607 posts
24 Aug 2011 11:07PM
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dave...... said...

I know Neil HATES tear aid.


For bladders? Why? And what does he use instead?

(I'm aware that I risk my life even thinking about asking about trade secrets, but hey, if I die knowing more about bladder repair, I'll be happy.)

AKSonline
WA, 925 posts
Site Sponsor
24 Aug 2011 10:03PM
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djdojo said...

dave...... said...

I know Neil HATES tear aid.


For bladders? Why? And what does he use instead?

(I'm aware that I risk my life even thinking about asking about trade secrets, but hey, if I die knowing more about bladder repair, I'll be happy.)


Hey dojo,

He's speaking about Tear-Aid on canopies. It is difficult to remove and leaves a very sticky residue if you can get it off. Sometimes it won't come off and makes it hard to do a neat repair when sewing a patch on.

DM

djdojo
VIC, 1607 posts
25 Aug 2011 8:59AM
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Cheers DM, all makes sense.

Adrenalin Rush
QLD, 876 posts
25 Aug 2011 10:37AM
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Try kitefix.

www.kitefix.com.au

stevenjewell
QLD, 9 posts
26 Aug 2011 2:48PM
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my brother put 2 band aids on his switchblade in FIJI, they lasted over a year, and i sold the kite with them still on.

oceanfire
WA, 718 posts
26 Aug 2011 2:31PM
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stevenjewell said...

my brother put 2 band aids on his switchblade in FIJI, they lasted over a year, and i sold the kite with them still on.


But how long do you reckon they would have lasted if they were used to repair a hole?



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"Kite Repair tape - dacron or nylon?" started by oceanfire